Greek police smash huge tractor network in Athens!
Greek police smash huge tractor network in Athens!
The Greek police arrested 20 people in a large-scale action against a suspected tractor network. These arrests were carried out in the Athens greater area, where several apartments were searched, which served as workshops for fake travel documents. In this operation, not only the alleged smugglers were arrested, but also numerous fake passports and ID cards that were required for the illegal insertion of migrants to other EU countries. According to initial knowledge, the gang was involved in the illegal slide in over 500 cases and is said to have made a profit of around four million euros. Among the arrested are people of Syrian and Egyptian origin.
In addition to the arrests, the investigators ensured impressive almost 5000 fake or stolen passports in the raids. These documents should make a significant contribution to smuggling migrants into other European countries - especially to Germany, Spain and Sweden. The Greek investigators have been working in this case for six months and received support from Europol, with two officials being on site. This action illustrates the challenges that Europe faces in the context of migration.background of the lock
The majority of migrants who enter the EU via Greece have the goal of continuing to Germany or other Central European countries. According to the UNHCR, around 12,800 migrants have arrived in Greece since the beginning of the year. Many of them use fake travel documents to escape the risks and controls when entering other EU countries.
The method of smugglers often contains "packages", which, in addition to fake ID cards, also offer flight bookings and tickets for flights to Western or Northern European goals. The costs for these packages amount to proud amounts between 5000 and 15,000 euros. The fake documents are often of such high quality that they are difficult to recognize as counterfeits.
EU initiatives against smugglers
In the light of these developments, the EU Commission plans new measures to act against the abuse of commercial transportation in the context of irregular migration. Vice President Margaritis Schinas emphasized the urgency to use all available means to combat the massive influence of criminal networks. The focus is on air traffic, where the abuse of transport companies to facilitate illegal migration is particularly common.
The EU strategies include three essential columns: strengthening the legal framework, improving the situation and early warning systems as well as the intensification of cooperation with partner countries and transport companies. One central goal is to monitor air traffic more effectively and to optimize the exchange of information between the EU member states in order to react in good time before potential threats from smuggling warnings.
In view of the developments and the ongoing challenge of smuggling networks, it is essential that both Greece and the entire EU strengthen and adapt their measures to combat these criminal activities.Overall, the recent blow of the Greek police against the tractor network shows how urgently needed measures to combat organized crime in migrant transport are. The use of fake documents and the numerous arrests are a strong signal that the authorities, supported by European partners, are resolutely against the illegal machinations.
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| Ort | Athen, Griechenland |
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